A bit off topic but can any sufferers of IBS or ulcerative colitis...

[Shimbo]

recommend a good book on eating and diet? Is going wheat free helpful in your experience and are there any books about this?

Thanks!

Yes!!
I was diagnosed with UC and relentlessly searched for a cure (as it's such a bloody awful disease, as you probably know).
I found a diet which worked - it's called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It's been around a while and the main book which explains it is called "Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet" by Elaine Gloria Gottschall.
Have a look at the reviews on Amazon and the US Amazon. It's helped so many people.
There's quite a bit about it on the Internet, including lots of blogs of people who are following it, and a huge number of recipes.
The main idea is that bowel diseases are caused by an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria in the gut, and these bacteria can be starved out and replaced with healthy ones by not eating complex carbohydrates which break down further in the intestine, providing them with sugar.
As a really brief summary, in the diet you can eat meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, fruit, most (not starchy) veg, several types of cheese and honey. Sadly it means you can't have wheat or any other grains, sugar or milk (but now they make lactosefree milk which you can have). It's possible to make "mock" starches like muffins and bread by using ground almonds instead of flour. I make really nice banana muffins this way.
I'm sure there are much better summaries on SCD websites.
When I started on the diet in 2005 I felt an improvement in about 3 days (less of a constant seasick feeling) and went into remission completely within a couple of weeks. It's quite hard to stick to, but every time I've relapsed has been after consistently cheating for several months. Every time, I've immediately stuck to the letter of the diet and got better fast. I now take no medication at all. I haven't been on the diet for a few years now and have no signs of illness, in fact I'm half-way through my second healthy pregnancy. It does say that if you do it properly for two years you're probably ok eating normally after that, because the balance of bacteria will be stable.
Give it a try!

IBS - Mine has improved a lot over the years - I dont find wheat in small high quality a problem as others.

With eater lower carbs I find its effect excellent coupled with salads and loads of veg.

Eating stews types also helps. No alcohol/less sugar/smaller portions all help including not eating late.

You dont need books lots of free stuff on the net.

Also have a look on the web for the Paleo Diet. It cuts out most of the things that affect IBS/UC etc, grains, dairy, sugar and legumes and as it's the 'new big thing' in diets at the moment there is a ton of info and lots of lovely recipe sites.

IBS - look up fodmap.

I went wheat free and saw a huge improvement in my IBS. I'm going to look at that book fortheringhay recommended!

Hi shimbo,

Ive in the same boat as you Ulcerative Colitis sufferer. i have a documented my progress here colitisjournal.com and by following a specific diet and supplement protocol im in remission now for over a year. Hope all the best for you.

I had a great improvement whilst following the dukan diet - similar principles as those mentioned above but I found it too restrictive for me. Might try some of these though.

The only time my IBS flares up now is if I start to eat carbs again.

Just wanted to say thankyou to all who have responded! I will have a look into books mentioned (it is not me who is suffering but my parents).